Remove the Stigma: Advocating for Our Warriors on World Mental Health Day
Remove the Stigma: Advocating for Our Warriors on World Mental Health Day 2024
Stephanie Crosby RN, BSN, US Army Reserve
What is World Mental Health Day?
There is no denying the mental health crisis that exists today, especially among our nation’s heroes. But did you know, the World Federation of Mental Health deemed this day, October 10th, World Mental Health Day back in 1948?1
One might assume in all those years we, as a nation, would have figured out how to effectively treat and alleviate at least the worst of mental health conditions: PTSD, depression, anxiety, nightmares. But, alas, here we are still trying to figure it out. And we’ve come a long way, as a country, to be sure. But the work does not stop with awareness.
The theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is ‘It’s Time to Prioritize Mental Health in the Workplace’.1 And what workplace sorely needs to focus on its mental health more than the combat zone, the supply office, barracks, ships, motorpool?
Here’s just a few of the latest, cutting edge, evidence-based alternative treatments for PTSD, depression and anxiety that don’t require a prescription, referral or long waitlist for an appointment.
Horsing Around with Equine Therapy
Horses have been used to treat medical conditions since the second century. Today, this ancient medicine treats 26 medical conditions, including conditions like PTSD, substance abuse, ADHD, and autism. Experts have even seen improvements in their patients’ social interactions, to include successful prisoner reform.2
There is a reason the National Institute of Health (NIH) conducted research on this holistic approach as recently as 2020.2 It simply works, and continues to give patients an effective alternative when traditional medicine is either unavailable, or less preferred. Irreverent Warriors, partnered with Grunt Style Foundation, has worked to provide this treatment approach to veterans like us, who just want to feel like ourselves again, or at least, as close as we can, post-trauma.
CBD: Controversial or Cutting Edge?
You have probably heard both sides of this argument. In 2020, the NIH published a study exploring the effects of cannabidiol oils and gummies on several conditions. 3 Here’s what you need to know:
- Studies were conducted on patients with and without a diagnosed anxiety disorder. 3
- Studies were considered subjective, meaning the patient told the recorder how they were feeling, and the result was recorded, instead of measuring heart rate or other physical results. 3
- Results of whether CBD reduced acute (sudden) anxiety was mixed, but:
- When given ahead of a stressful event, (in the case of this study, a public speech or medical procedure), ingested or inhaled CBD showed to significantly reduce the patient’s self-reported anxiety levels 3
What about PTSD and other conditions?
- 10 of the 11 participants in an 8 week trial reported significantly reduced PTSD symptoms compared to before the trial. 3
- Patients reported falling asleep more quickly, staying asleep longer and waking without remembering nightmares. 3
- 400mg and 800mg CBD effectively reduced heroin users desire to abuse the drug. Cigarette smokers reported overall decreased blood pressure, leading to a reduction in the number of cigarettes smoked per day. 3
Bottom line about CBD:
We, as the medical community, need more participants to conduct more studies. The basis of research is promising, but more trials need to be conducted.
Irreverent Warriors and Grunt Style Foundation have provided an opportunity to increase the prevalence of this alternative medicine through their partnership with Charlotte’s Web.
Disclaimer: CBD should be used under the guidance of a professional for safe and effective dosing.
Sweat Lodges: Effective and Evidenced
If you walk into any clinic or hospital and express your desire to participate in “traditional medicine”, such as healing ceremonies and sweat lodges, your request should be honored and supported by your care team. The reality is not as black and white. Western modern medicine, in many cases, maintains an unspoken bias against traditional healing ceremonies and the like. But, again, let’s look at the research:
- Healing ceremonies like sweat lodges have existed since ancient times to honor and celebrate transformation and healing.4
- A bonafide study from the NIH revealed of the 100 inmates who participated in a sweat lodge ceremony, only 7% wound up back in prison, compared to the 30-40% rate of the general population of inmates.4
- 123 inmates struggling with substance abuse participated in a sweat lodge and showed significant improvement in their condition.4
- Patients outside the prison system were surveyed and reported an increase in spiritual and emotional well-being, directly crediting the sweat lodge ceremony. 4
All that evidence sounds promising, but where in the world could you find a sweat lodge? Don’t worry, Irreverent Warriors and Grunt Style have you covered at their annual Integration Event.
Take the (Cold) Plunge
Cold plunges aren’t just for athletes looking to amp up their recovery time. First, let’s look at safety:
- Exposure to extreme cold, whether air or water, can trigger a “cold shock” in the body.5
- The rapid temperature change confuses the signals in your body, including your heart, and can send you into a dangerous heart rhythm. 5
- ONLY practice cold water or air treatment under the direction of a provider, especially if you have history of cardiac or metabolic conditions.
Onto the evidence, NIH studies show, over time, consistent treatment with cold water plunges can:
- Lower cortisol (stress hormone) levels.5
- Lower oxidative (waste produced by oxygen) stress markers 5
- Reduce stress on the pancreas by decreasing insulin concentration and increasing sensitivity. 5
- Lower risk for heart attack, which is increased in patients with stress related conditions. 5
- Strengthen the immune system by increasing white blood cells5
Like most alternative medicine, studies are limited due to bias, and more research is needed to further promote the efficacy of cold-water therapy.5 Once again, Irreverent Warriors and Grunt Style are here to help you take the cold plunge with your veteran tribe.
Hypnosis: Is it a Bunch of Hocus Pocus?
First, let’s talk about the process of clinical hypnosis, (and no, it does not involve a swaying watch):
- You and your provider will discuss your goals for therapy, answer any questions and discuss your beliefs, and corrections to some potentially harmful thoughts. This is all part of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or talk therapy, which coupled with hypnosis has shown to be highly effective. 6
- Your provider will guide you through simple directions including closing your eyes, breath control and paying attention to certain sensations in your body. 6
- Your provider will then help you deepen your focus and relaxation through calm speech and suggestion. 6
- The magic happens when you are fully relaxed and your provider simply suggests some helpful thoughts, beliefs or behavioral changes while you are in a totally relaxed state. 6
- Your provider will guide you back to a fully conscious state and discuss your emotions and experience while under hypnosis. 6
Show me the evidence:
- 261 studies, between 2000 to 2024, provided evidence hypnosis is a legitimate method of reducing PTSD and anxiety, and is especially effective when used in conjunction with talk therapy, or CBT. 6
- Of 700 practitioners surveyed worldwide, 70% rated hypnosis as “highly effective”. 6
- Hypnosis can be used to reduce stress and anxiety, and increase sense of well being and confidence, especially in high stress situations. 6
Ready to find healing in hypnosis? You guessed it, Irreverent Warriors and Grunt Style have a program tailored just for veterans like you, looking for an alternative. (Announcement coming soon)
Seeking help can be intimidating, triggering and sometimes just downright overwhelming, especially in a culture where strong is silent, and mission is number one. We know knowledge is power, and evidence speaks volumes. Now that you are armed with the facts, you can feel confident diving into whichever of these alternative medicine techniques speaks to you. Irreverent Warriors and Grunt Style Foundation are here to help you find your veteran tribe, through community, advocacy and programs like these. Share this article with a battle buddy today and help reduce the stigma.
Stephanie Crosby RN, BSN
Nurse Author
PatriotRN.org
Advocate. Connect. Impact.
Sources:
- World Federation for Mental Health. About WFMH Global Campaign 2024. Accessed October 8, 2024. https://wmhdofficial.com/about-2024/
- White-Lewis S. Equine-assisted therapies using horses as healers: A concept analysis. Nurs Open. 2020;7(1):58-67. doi:10.1002/nop2.377
- Sholler DJ, Schoene L, Spindle TR. Therapeutic Efficacy of Cannabidiol (CBD): a Review of the Evidence From Clinical Trials and Human Laboratory Studies. Curr Addict Rep. 2020;7(3):405-412. doi:10.1007/s40429-020-00326-8
- Redvers N, Blondin B. Traditional Indigenous medicine in North America: A scoping review. PLoS One. 2020;15(8):e0237531. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0237531
- Espeland D, de Weerd L, Mercer JB. Health effects of voluntary exposure to cold water – a continuing subject of debate. Int J Circumpolar Health. 2022;81(1). doi:10.1080/22423982.2022.2111789
- Rosendahl J, Alldredge CT, Haddenhorst A. Meta-analytic evidence on the efficacy of hypnosis for mental and somatic health issues: a 20-year perspective. Front Psychol. 2024;14. doi:10.3389/fpsyg.2023.1330238